by Kate Benson
“Minimal?” I balk. “Adam, I have two private security guards and this place is practically a vault. I don’t think more security is the answer here.”
“I disagree. After everything that’s happened, it’s not something I’m willing to risk. Especially since we’ve decided that you’ll be here full-time.” He studies my features for a long while, gently sweeping my hair away from my face as cradling my cheek with his palm. “Honey, I can tell by your expression that you think this is excessive, but I need for you to trust me,” he asks, his voice low and thoughtful. “This place is safe, but it isn’t a fortress. I’ll burn this entire city to the ground before I let anyone lay a finger on you.”
“I know,” I admit, raising my hand to wrap around his wrist as I lean in further to his touch. Our gazes stay locked on each other for a long while before finally, I swallow hard and break our silence. “So, what does that mean?”
“Well,” he smiles small, pushing the door behind him open. “It means you’ll finally have some company.”
ADAM
When her eyes fall on them, she squints slightly at first in confusion before finally, they widen, and she does something I’ve never heard before in the months I’ve called her mine.
She squeals.
“Oh, my God! You got us puppies?” she asks, jumping up to give me a firm kiss on the lips before releasing me and turning to face them. “They’re so cute!”
“Baby, they’re not exactly-”
“Come here, i miei dolci bambini,” she croons, taking the few steps that separate her from them before sitting on the floor in front of the massive Dobermans, squishing their faces with affection. “Ti amo. Ti amo. Ti amo.”
“Bella,” I start, taking a step closer. “Sweetheart…”
I hesitate when I see them licking her in the face, their nubby little tails shaking in glee at her attention.
“Yes, Sir?” she asks, glancing over her shoulder and giggling wildly when they begin licking her ear.
“Nothing,” I shake my head, leaning against the frame to watch her for a long moment, unable to keep the smile from my lips.
After what had turned into days of research, I’d finally found the two most highly trained security dogs on the continent. From their birth, they’ve been trained to attack on sight, are fluent in five different languages, including Italian, and came with a direct recommendation from a member of the secret service. With one command, the two animals standing in the middle of my penthouse are trained to become certified killing machines groomed to protect at any cost.
And in a matter of seconds, my girlfriend has reduced them to slobbering puppies.
“Do you like them?”
“I love them,” she beams. “What are their names?”
“Nero and Caesar,” I say, appreciating the way their ears perk up in attention when I speak their names. “They’ve been trained to take commands in Italian, as well. We’ll go over a few things later, but they’ll be here with us indefinitely as another measure of protection.”
“Caesar and Nero, huh?” she asks, her voice still holding the same singing edge as she lovingly scratches their heads, giving each of them a kiss on the snout. “Bellissimo cuccioli,” she coos, finally standing to face me, her lips twisting into a knowing smirk. “Can they sleep with us?”
“Absolutely not.”
Chapter Seven
ADAM
“Mamma, I’m fine,” she promises into the line, her head falling back against the plush couch and rolling over to hide into the crook of my shoulder. When she releases a low groan of frustration meant only for me to hear, I chuckle, and I can’t help but the warmth that fills my chest as her fingers gently graze my hand when I rest it high on her thigh. “Please don’t do that… Mamma… Mamma… Mother!” she shouts. “Put Daddy on the phone… because you’re pazzo, mamma! Yes, you are! Bene! You’re normal. Whatever you say!” she throws her hands up. “I still want to talk to Daddy.”
There’s an audible shift on the line and she releases a long, low sigh before she glances over at me, shaking her head.
“I’m going to put her in the worst home,” she declares, making me laugh again. “I’m serious. She’s driving me insa- Hello? Hi Daddy,” she sighs. “Well, I don’t know why you let her use the phone. You know she’s certifiable… Yes… No, she’s talking about coming here like that’s going to help anything at all ever. No! I don’t want her to… because she’s insane. Are you watching the news? Do you think I need more crazy people around me? Well, what about Claire and Luca? Why doesn’t she ever do this to them? Because I talk to them, Daddy, and they said she never does this to them… Call me naïve, but I think that’s a good sign… No, she doesn’t need to see me to know I’m okay… He doesn’t have time to stop what he’s doing every time you call to talk to-”
As I pull the phone from her hand, she stops mid-sentence and from the corner of my eye, I see her gaping at me in silent offense.
“Hello, Jim,” I start, her narrowing gaze making me smirk as I give her thigh another gentle squeeze and gesture toward the screen for her to pick something out to watch. “What can I do for you?”
ISABELLA
“You’re calling him Jim now?” I ask accusingly, the low chuckle coming from his chest only further annoying me.
This is bullshit, I think to myself, taking the remote from him and scrolling angrily through the listings.
His gentle touch on my thigh calms me somewhat, but only just and I glance over toward him, finding his eyes on me as he listens intently. With a quick wink, he washes most of my remaining grievances away and I swallow hard over the frustration still yapping on the other end of the line.
“I absolutely agree. She never should have been there in the first place,” he says bluntly, making me swallow a groan as I lift myself from the leather seat and stand. “Where are you going?”
“I need ice cream,” I declare. “Y’all are stressing me out.”
He smirks and gives me a gentle nod, his eyes on me as I go. I huff my way across the penthouse, frustrated on every level as I pull the door to the freezer open and reach for a pint of whatever is in front and stomp toward the drawer for a spoon. I lean against the island for a moment, carefully tracing the tip of my spoon around the top of the ice cream, smoothing out the edges. I release a sigh when the flavor of peanut butter hits my tongue and my eyes move to the ceiling in thought, making me shake my head.
“We weren’t bothering anyone,” I whisper, lowering my spoon into the carton and dipping in for a second bite. “All we wanted to do was watch a movie. No one would have ever been affected,” I shrug, my eyes shifting toward the entrance of the kitchen when I see movement, smiling when the dogs come inside to join me. “Ciao, babies,” I sigh, setting my ice cream to the side so that I can lower myself in front of them, caressing their muzzles gently. “Why did you leave Daddy? Did you miss me like I missed you?” I coo, smiling wider as their nubby, docked tails begin to wag in approval as I scratch their ears. I continue doting on them for a moment, my nerves having calmed substantially when I move to stand, giving each of them a treat before I recover my ice cream and release a long sigh. “Okay, boys. Let’s go back in there.”
They follow me dutifully as I make my way into my bedroom for a sweater, wrapping myself in it as I pad across the marble floors back to Adam. I can still hear him speaking as I step inside the media room and find his eyes already on me. The conversation seems to be winding down, which makes me feel a little better as I slip back into the soft leather seat beside him. He extends his hand and I savor in his touch as I nuzzle against him, offering him a bite of my ice cream. He opens his mouth, holding my eyes as he licks the spoon clean and grins cockily at my blazing cheeks and dopey, lust filled expression. I take another bite and set the carton to the side, leaning back against the cushions and resti
ng my head on his lap, trying my best to relax. He says little over the line for so long, I glance up to see if he’s still talking and find his eyes locked on me, his fingers gently threading through my hair.
“I understand,” he says, breaking through the quiet of the room as his fingers trace my lips before resting on my stomach. “Sounds good. I’ll make the arrangements,” he promises, making my eyebrows quirk together slightly in question. “Yes, sir. Goodnight.”
ADAM
I end the call and put her cellphone on the seat beside me, smirking when I glance down to find her looking up at me suspiciously.
“What arrangements are you making?” she asks, ignoring my smirk. “What have you done?”
“Nothing you need to worry about, sweetheart,” I promise, cradling her face despite the way her jaw tenses. “What movie would you like to watch?”
She stares up at me, studying my features for a moment before she releases a long, low breath of anxiety and stares back at the ceiling.
“The new Charlize Theron one,” she surrenders, making me smile gently to myself.
“Thank you,” I offer as I move my palm under her sweater and begin stroking her stomach.
“You’re welcome,” she whispers, her voice slightly more relaxed at my touch. “You aren’t going to tell me, are you?”
“No, baby. I’m not,” I admit, taking in her defeated gaze. “Instead of worrying about other shit for the rest of the night, my ridiculously pretty girlfriend and I are going to watch this movie together. After that, we’re going to have a long hot bath and then I’m taking her to bed where I intend on doing the most unspeakable things imaginable to her,” I tease, my hand moving up high enough to raise her shirt, tracing her heavy breasts with my fingertips. It pulls a gentle whimper from her chest. “There’s nothing for you to worry about. Nothing bad is happening, my darling, but for the rest of the night, those are the only things getting our attention.”
Chapter Eight
ISABELLA
“Bella?” he calls out, pulling my attention from my journal as I hear him making his way inside. “Baby, I’m home.”
“I’m coming!” I promise as I push my things to the side, eager to see him after another long and tedious day.
When I lift myself from the bed and skip across my bedroom, I can’t help but smile when he rounds the corner and meets me in my doorway.
“Hi, princess,” he smiles, leaning down to press his lips to mine at the same time I reach up on my toes.
“Hi, Daddy,” I sigh against his mouth, my arms falling lazily around his neck at the same time his palms fall low on my ass, giving my cheeks a squeeze as he holds me close to his chest. “How was your day?”
“Dreadfully boring,” he admits, humming when my lips fall onto his jaw. “How about you? How’s my girl?”
“Same,” I admit with a shrug. “But better now. I’m glad you’re home.”
“Me, too,” he smiles, lifting me and wrapping my legs around his waist.
He grips my thighs tight in his hands, his lips moving slowly over mine as he walks us to the divan at the end of my bed and takes a seat.
“Tell me about your day, kitten,” he husks against my neck.
He leans back just enough to pull my shirt over my head and drop it to the floor, his lips making a trail over my throat before he takes my breasts in each hand and begins slowly kneading them.
“Not much to tell,” I sigh, leaning back to rest my hands on his knees, presenting myself to him the way he likes pulling a low hum of pleasure from his chest. “I slept in, had breakfast, did some yoga,” I continue, the sensation of his tongue tracing over my nipple making me moan. “What did you do today at work?”
“Closed a deal, had a few conference calls,” he rasps, moving his lips back up my front as his hands grip my waist, one sliding over the center of my cotton shorts as his lips come back to mine and he stares into me. “Mostly thought about all the delicious ways I’d like to fuck you when I got home.” His fingers tease me through the cotton for a moment before he releases a gentle hum against my lips, flicking his tongue out to taste me. “Are you wet for Daddy, baby girl?”
“Yes, Sir,” I admit, my heavy breaths faltering against his touch.
“Good girl,” he whispers, reaching behind me to lift me onto my knees, supporting my weight as he uses his free hand to roughly push my shorts down my thighs. “Get these off, kitten. Let me look at you.”
I stand briefly, stepping out of them and am about to climb back onto his lap when his hands find my waist, holding me in place. He bends, his mouth immediately between my legs as he laps at me, pulling a long, low moan from me.
“Papa,” I mewl, my hands gently stroking his hair.
“That’s it, princess,” he whispers, slipping down onto the floor and taking a seat on my furry pink rug, spreading my legs wider. “Hmm…” he hums as his hands find my ass, positioning me on the divan and holding me in place. “I’ve been craving your cunt all day, Isabella,” he admits, spreading me wide with his fingers and lazily running his tongue up my center before sliding it inside, fucking me slowly once he pulls me lower to straddle his face. “Sit, baby,” he whispers, wrapping his arms around my thighs and staring up at me, holding my eyes as I slowly fall apart.
I’m climbing quickly, my walls beginning to clench pulling his name in a chant from my lips in a low whimper. One of my hands finds the bedpost, the other falling into his hair and gripping tight. I don’t miss the way his eyes begin to twinkle as my mouth falls open, the way he growls into me as I begin grinding against his lips. The vibration sends me into a frenzy and waves of pleasure wash over me, pulling a gasp from my chest.
“Daddy, please…” I manage, my voice frantic and hitched. “Please let me come.”
“Hmm… yes, baby,” he hums into me, the vibrations doing me in once more as he pulls away for just a moment, still holding my eyes. “Give Papa a taste. Let me hear you scream.”
That’s all it takes. I throw my head back, riding the waves that come full force as his palms fall on my ass and squeeze hard, the pleasurable pain pushing me over the edge altogether. By the time he pulls away, I’ve come for him twice and my chest is heaving, my body covered in a light sheen of sweat.
“There she is,” he croons, pressing his full lips to the inside of my thigh, smirking when it makes me shudder from the aftershock.
He slips out from beneath me before he rises to his feet, his perfectly tailored suit brushing against my bare skin. After a slight rustle behind me, he tosses his jacket onto my bed, reaching for my hair and sweeping it over my shoulder before pressing his lips to my skin.
“Stay right where you are, darling,” he whispers, pulling a nod from me.
“Yes, Sir,” I breathe, still unsteady as I hear the clank of his belt behind me, making me heady once more.
He notices.
“Is my baby being greedy today?” he asks, the amusement staining his voice bringing crimson to my cheeks. “You must’ve missed me.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Which are you agreeing to?” he teases.
“Both,” I admit, making him chuckle darkly as he slides his fingers into my mouth, pulling a simultaneous hum from both of us.
“I know, angel,” he croons, kissing my hair as he pulls away and slides his wet fingers over my opening, giving it a gentle smack before he shoves inside me all at once, stealing my breath. “Daddy missed you, too.”
He winds one arm around my front while the other moves to my neck, holding me flush with his chest as he keeps his eyes on me. His voice, his touch, it’s all mesmerizing and it isn’t long before he’s got me at my breaking point once more. I lose myself in him, each wave pulling me further and further into him… into us… and the rest of the world slowly falls away around me. He lets me come for hi
m again before he fills me, painting my skin with his seed before releasing me and pulling away, turning me to face him.
“Clean me up, pumpkin,” he orders gently, helping me lower to my knees.
His touch is gentle, adoring as he cups my jaw and begins tracing my lips with his thumb, whispering sweet words as I lap at the remnants we left behind on his skin. When he reaches for me, I rise in front of him and go to work on his chin, the taste of me on his lips pulling another low sigh from my chest. He kisses me then, holding my waist close to his as his hazel eyes search my hooded gaze.
“Love you,” I whisper as he ends the kiss.
“I love you,” he replies, rubbing my skin for a second before he raises his fingers to my chin and gives me a final peck on the lips. “Put your robe on. I’ve got to get you ready for dinner and Vera’s in the next room,” he admits, my eyes moving to my still open bedroom door making my cheeks flare as he smirks against my skin.
“Do you think she heard us?”
“Oh, I’m absolutely sure of it,” he admits with a low laugh against the crook of my neck. “You tend to go a little crazy when I let you off your leash.”
“Well, you don’t do it very often,” I sigh against his lips. “I’ve got to make up for lost time.”
“Truer words, darling,” he winks, patting my ass and releasing me, glancing at the bed. “Come. Bring your journal with you.”
ADAM
I lead her to my bedroom, smiling to myself at her bashful expression and the tremble in her voice as she greets Vera on our way through the den.
We move straight toward the closet and I gesture for her to sit for a moment while I thumb through her dresses, finally selecting the one I’d like to see her in.
“Are we going somewhere?” she asks, taking in the short blue, silk dress I’ve laid out for her.
“No, baby,” I shake my head, reaching for shoes and handing them to her. “Why? Would you like to?”
